"The little girl on the burgundy sofa has grown up, but being a grown-up isn’t at all the way she thought it be. She’s so lost now that it’s scary. The only one who’s ever looked out for her is gone.”
When Maybell Parrish learns her great-aunt Violet dies and leaves her an estate, Maybell leaves her mediocre past behind in search for a better life. But when she arrives at Falling Stars, she's surprised to learn she's not the only one that has inherited the property. Enter the grumpy groundskeeper, Wesley Koehler, who looks like the man of her dreams, but treats her like she has the plague. The two can't seem to agree on what to do with the dilapidated house, that's currently filled to the brim with Violet's hoarding habit. Hotel or animal sanctuary? Only time will tell who wins the showdown.
This book blew me away. It's like a hug for your heart. You can't help but smile while reading it. It's heartwarming with a bit of nostalgia. Whether it's Maybell's daydreams that feel so real or the quiet banter between the two main characters, Twice Shy checked all the boxes for me.
Enemies to lovers ✅
Slow burn romance ✅
Neurodiverse representation ✅
Self journey and discovery ✅
Maybell's journey really resonated with me. I highlighted way too many quotes to count, but I related to her feelings of grief and loss and not knowing what to do next with her life. Her struggle of wanting to be liked by everyone and people pleasing, sometimes to her own detriment, just spoke to me.
Oh Wesley...he was the grumpiest of the grumps. A silent brooding type, always judging Maybell and stubborn to a fault. But as the book unfolds and you unwrap his many layers, I slowly fell in love with him along with Maybell. Wesley was full of surprises and was absolutely the best fit for Maybell. The two brought the best out of each other and along the way, they learned to love with openness and understanding.
Twice Shy is a book you need to add to your TBR immediately. It will make you happy, it will make you swoon, and it will is surely a book you will want to read again.
Thank you to Putnam for the gifted copy.
